Vodacom Super Rugby Round 10 Preview

The table is set for a typical South African Vodacom Super Rugby derby when both the Cell C Sharks and DHL Stormers will be looking to get their campaign back on track when they clash on Saturday at 17h15 at Jonsson Kings Park in Durban.

In Saturday’s early afternoon game, the resurgent Vodacom Bulls want to continue with their good form of late when they host the Rebels from 15h00 in Pretoria.

The Emirates Lions will get the tenth round underway from a local perspective when they begin their overseas tour of Australia and New Zealand on Friday morning against the Waratahs in Sydney. The match against the Australian pacesetters kicks off at 11h45 (SA time), while the remaining South African conference fixture sees the Jaguares against the Brumbies in action from 08h05 on Sunday in Canberra.

Regular Emirates Lions skipper Warren Whiteley was withdrawn from the team earlier this week because of a recurring knee injury. Franco Mostert will again wear the No 7-jersey and lead the Highvelders against the Waratahs, while Marvin Orie and Andries Ferreira were confirmed as the lock combination. New scrumhalf recruit Nic Groom is set to make his first appearance for the Johannesburg side from the bench.

The Emirates Lions have won their last two games against the Waratahs and have in fact won nine of their last 10 fixtures against Australian opposition, including their last six in a row. The New South Welshmen, meanwhile, are currently on a four-game winning streak and will be a hard nut to crack at home.

Saturday’s match in Pretoria will be the sixth meeting between the Vodacom Bulls and Rebels, with the home finishing on the winning side on four of the previous five occasions.

Vodacom Bulls coach John Mitchell has made only one injury enforced change to the starting team that defeated the Cell C Sharks 40-10 in Durban last weekend. Hanro Liebenberg is out with a knee injury, which means a move from flank to No 8 for Marco van Staden, with Roelof Smit taking over the No 6 jersey.

Cell C Sharks coach Robert du Preez selected Makazole Mapimpi in place of Lwazi Mvovo on the wing while Cameron Wright comes in for Louis Schreuder at scrumhalf in the two changes to his backline for their important home clash against the DHL Stormers.

Dan du Preez starts with his twin brother Jean-Luc in the loose trio, taking over from Tera Mtembu at No 8, in the only change among the forwards. The Durbanites have won their last three games against the DHL Stormers and will be looking for a confidence booster on Saturday.

Sikhumbuzo Notshe will make his first start of the season for the DHL Stormers in Durban. The 24-year-old will be at No 8 in the only change to the DHL Stormers pack for the coastal derby. There are a few changes to the backline, with Craig Barry starting on the wing and Dillyn Leyds shifting to fullback, while a fit-again Dewaldt Duvenage replaces the injured Jano Vermaak at scrumhalf.

What they said:

Cell C Sharks centre Lukhanyo Am admits they will look to turn matters around against their Cape rivals, following the loss to the Vodacom Bulls last week: “This game could be our season-changer, we’re looking to regain our confidence and consistency in this match. But there are no easy games and we’ll need to bring our A-game on Saturday.”

DHL Stormers Head Coach Robbie Fleck said that after a much-needed bye, his side is determined to get back to winning ways on Saturday: “The break was good for the squad from both a mental and physical perspective and we returned refreshed this week, ready to take on the second half of the campaign. It is great to have some players returning from injury and it has been a good week of training so we are looking forward to the weekend.”

John Mitchell, Vodacom Bulls coach, said: “We will be looking for consistency this week, and also to maintain the same level of performance. The Rebels is a quality side and we will have to be good in our execution and on defence.”

Emirates Lions coach Swys de Bruin said: “Our team usually travel well but we are playing a Waratahs team that is on a good run and full of confidence.”